2011 St Péray, Cuvée Prestige, Domaine du Tunnel, Rhône
- White
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- Roussanne
Drink now
- Robert Parker
- 92/100
Product: 20118008046
Description
St Péray had slipped off my radar until my recent visit to the Rhône and to Stéphane Robert’s Domaine du Tunnel. Credit to a man who makes intense reds to show a deftness of touch with his whites – this cuvée has had time in barrique to add weight yet retain sprightly aromatics. Ready now and through 2015.
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager
Made from 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, the Prestige has been matured in barrique. The wine is generously coloured and combines citric definition with a waxy nougat richness and fresh finish.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Stéphane and Sandrine have built what I think a Valence Estate Agent would describe as a ‘dream house’ in the steep Cornas hillside behind St Peray. An unfeasible amount of glass ensures that the views of the serpentine Rhône are spectacular indeed; let us hope that window taxes have been abolished in this part of the Ardèche. Behind the property lies the eponymous tunnel, a former railway track long since abandoned, but now destined for summer parties and receptions. Stéphane is pleased with his 2011 wines; he praises their aromatic harmony and the quality of the fruit.
Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager
Made from 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, the Prestige has been matured in barrique. The wine is generously coloured and combines citric definition with a waxy nougat richness and fresh finish.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Stéphane and Sandrine have built what I think a Valence Estate Agent would describe as a ‘dream house’ in the steep Cornas hillside behind St Peray. An unfeasible amount of glass ensures that the views of the serpentine Rhône are spectacular indeed; let us hope that window taxes have been abolished in this part of the Ardèche. Behind the property lies the eponymous tunnel, a former railway track long since abandoned, but now destined for summer parties and receptions. Stéphane is pleased with his 2011 wines; he praises their aromatic harmony and the quality of the fruit.
Colour White
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2011
Alcohol % 13.5
Maturity Drink now
Grape List Roussanne
Body Medium Bodied
Producer Domaine Du Tunnel
Critics reviews
Robert Parker 92/100
The 2011 St.-Peray Cuvee Prestige, a blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, reveals beautiful notes of caramelized citrus, smoke, quince, white currants and subtle wood. This dense, rich effort is very Burgundian, but with a Chablis-like overtone of crushed rocks and white flowers. Drink this beauty over the next 3-4 years. Impressive wines from Cornas as well as the emerging appellation of St.-Peray have been produced by Stephane Robert. All three of the 2010 Cornas are brilliant examples of wines from this bucolic appellation sitting in a natural amphitheater (largely decomposed granite and gravel) with exceptional terroirs and expositions for most of its vineyards. There are four cuvees of white St.-Peray in 2011. robert_parker, Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012
About this wine
Roussanne
Roussanne is one of the most important white grape varieties in the Rhône Valley. It is a particularly pernickety grape to cultivate being a notoriously low yielder as well as being highly susceptible to rot. It is difficult to ripen, and seemingly prone to oxidation at every opportunity. Roussanne's name comes from its russet-coloured skin and it produces richly aromatic wines, often with fruit characteristics of lime and blossom.
Find out more
Domaine Du Tunnel
Located in a somewhat anonymous back-street of St Peray in Rhone, Domaine Du Tunnel is forging a reputation as one of the leading wine producers in newly rejuvenated villages of St Peray and Cornas, both famous through history and throughout France for making, respectively, excellent white and red wines. Now, with the savoir faire of young vignerons such as Stéphane Robert, this reputation is set to achieve more international recognition. Stephane began building this domain in 1994, when he was 24. He now works with 3ha in Cornas, 2.5 in Saint Joseph and 2 in Saint Peray, most of which he owns Aiming for wines which are characterised by fruit intensity rather than oak
Find out more
Need help?
Delivery and Quality Guarantee
Registered company 05492886. BB&R Limited, trading as Berry Bros. & Rudd, 3 St James's Street, London, SW1A 1EG. All rights reserved. You must be 18 or over to order. Calls may be recorded.
